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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Bowers & Wilkins Pi7 S2 earbuds offer premium features such as active noise cancellation, a sleek design, and wireless convenience, which justify their higher price. They're suitable for travelers and those who prefer the ease of no cables. The Etymotic ER2SE earbuds, known for their exceptional sound accuracy and deep noise isolation due to their in-ear design, are more budget-friendly. However, they lack wireless capabilities and active noise cancellation. If you prioritize wireless technology and active noise control for a versatile listening experience, you might lean towards the Bowers & Wilkins despite the cost. If sound fidelity and value are your main concerns and you don't mind a wired connection, the Etymotic ER2SE might be the better choice. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2
- Very good for air travel
Advantages of the Etymotic ER2SE
- Very good for music
- Good for TV and video
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
7.5
8.8
The Etymotic ER2SE is very good for music, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 is good.
Gaming
5.3
6.2
The Etymotic ER2SE is only fair for gaming, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.6
7.6
The Etymotic ER2SE is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 is poor.
TV and Video
6.0
7.8
The Etymotic ER2SE is good for TV and video, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 is only fair.
Noise Reduction
8.3
9.1
The Etymotic ER2SE is excellent for noise reduction, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 is very good.
Battery
5.0 Hours
N/A
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 has 5 hours of battery life. The Etymotic ER2SE does not have a battery.
Cost
$259
$100
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 has a price of $259 and the Etymotic ER2SE costs $100.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
5.2
4.9
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 and Etymotic ER2SE are both poor for phone calls.
Build Quality
8.9
9.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Etymotic ER2SE to have excellent build quality, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 has very good build quality.
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How the Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 and the Etymotic ER2SE compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 | Etymotic ER2SE |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$259 | $100 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Bowers and Wilkins | Etymotic | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2023 | February 1, 2019 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.5/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.2/10 | 5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.4/10 | 6.3/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 6/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.3/10 | 4.2/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 0.75 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | N/A | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 13 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.9/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 7 Grams | 4 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Shopping
Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2
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Dig into reviews and images
Engadget
Billy Steele | March 2023
"While the overall sound quality is great, these earbuds fall short in terms of battery life, customization and ANC performance. Bowers & Wilkins’ ability to consistently deliver pristine sound isn’t enough to make up for what the Pi7 S2 lacks, which is unfortunately quite a bit."
Etymotic ER2SE
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Sound Guys
Lily Katz | April 2022
"Etymotic isn’t playing around: it takes audio seriously and has mastered the art of the noise-isolation earphone. Sure, the fit of the earbuds looks silly but it’s a signature Etymotic thing and could be considered charming by some. If you’re looking for best-in-class audio for a realistic price, the ER2SE is it."
Get a great deal on the Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 or the Etymotic ER2SE
About Bowers and Wilkins
Bowers and Wilkins is a British audio equipment manufacturer with a focus on innovation and product development. It was founded by a couple of real-life James Bonds, the co-founders John Bowers and Roy Wilkins, who met while working for MI6 during World War II. The company keeps being favored by enthusiasts due to their sound quality, craftsmanship and signature aesthetics.
About Etymotic
Etymotic Research is an American based research, development and manufacturing company founded in 1983. They invented the first insert earphones that were used for the diagnosis and research of hearing loss and other auditory disorders. They went on to pioneer the market of high fidelity, isolating, in-ear earphones.
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Why trust us
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec earbuds & headphones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest earbuds or headphones information and makes it digestible for you.
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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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